Modern City Planning

OBAT SEMPROT DESINFEKTAN KANDANG HEWAN

2023-02-11T10:25:00.005-08:00

Desinfektan Cap Gadjah Sulfur Carbendazim & Fungisida Obat Penghilang Bau Amonia Kandang Biosecuriti no 1 sulfur carbendazim dosis rendah dan residue remover bio desulfurization sehingga ramah dan tidak mencemari lingkungan. Desinfektan Cap Gadjah Obat Penghilang Bau Amonia Kandang Obat Untuk Mengurangi gas Amonia, gas beracun, serta menjadikan kotoran tidak berbau sekaligus untuk sanitasi bio security Heat Stress Menekan pertumbuhan bakteri E-Coli, CRD & bakteri pathogen.

Desinfektan Kandang Cap Gadjah

DESINFEKTAN CAP GADJAH SULFUR CARBENDAZIM

Biosecurity no.1

DESINFEKTAN CAP GADJAH SULFUR CARBENDAZIM & FUNGISIDA MENGHILANGKAN BAU AMONIA KANDANG UNGGAS
Ini adalah agent pembersih berbasis sulfur carbendazim dosis rendah & residue remover bio desulfurization sehingga ramah dan tidak mencemari lingkungan.

Berkinerja tinggi yang diformulasikan khusus untuk menghilangkan residu kimiawi mikroskopis, terutama dari penggunaan obat-obatan antibiotic yang larut bersama kotoran ternak termasuk metamfetamin, fentanil, heroin, oksikodon

DESINFEKTAN KANDANG HEWAN CAP GADJAH

2023-02-11T10:20:00.009-08:00

Desinfektan Cap Gadjah Sulfur Carbendazim & Fungisida Obat Penghilang Bau Amonia Kandang Biosecuriti no 1 sulfur carbendazim dosis rendah dan residue remover bio desulfurization sehingga ramah dan tidak mencemari lingkungan. Desinfektan Cap Gadjah Obat Penghilang Bau Amonia Kandang Obat Untuk Mengurangi gas Amonia, gas beracun, serta menjadikan kotoran tidak berbau sekaligus untuk sanitasi bio security Heat Stress Menekan pertumbuhan bakteri E-Coli, CRD & bakteri pathogen.

DESINFEKTAN KANDANG HEWAN CAP GADJAH

DESINFEKTAN CAP GADJAH SULFUR CARBENDAZIM & FUNGISIDA MENGHILANGKAN BAU AMONIA KANDANG UNGGAS

DESINFEKTAN CAP GADJAH SULFUR CARBENDAZIM & FUNGISIDA

Biosecurity no.1
Ini adalah agent pembersih berbasis sulfur carbendazim dosis rendah & residue remover bio desulfurization sehingga ramah dan tidak mencemari lingkungan.

Berkinerja tinggi yang diformulasikan khusus untuk menghilangkan residu kimiawi mikroskopis, terutama dari penggunaan obat-obatan antibiotic yang larut bersama kotoran ternak termasuk metamfetamin, fentanil, heroin, oksikodon, dll. Juga efektif untuk infeksi jamur, protozoa, bakteri dan virus.
Diuji laboratorium & terbukti di lapangan.
OBAT SEMPROT PENGHILANG BAU AMONIA KANDANG AYAM DESINFEKTAN SULFUR CARBENDAZIM & FUNGISIDA CAP GADJAH
Aturan Pakai

Untuk Peternakan Ayam Petelur
Pertama kali semprot 5 hari berturut-turut saat sore hari dosis 3ml/ liter air,
Spray kabut untuk kotoran, ayam dan seluruh kandang,
Saat bau mulai berkurang artinya parasit spt amoeba, bakteri, jamur dan virus sudah mulai terkontrol,
Setelahnya bisa anda semprot seminggu sekali atau saat bau kandang sudah mulai terasa.

Untuk Ayam Broiler
Spray seluruh kandang sebelum chick in, spray seminggu 2x saat umur seminggu,
setiap hari saat umur 8- 18 hari, umur 19 sampai panen spray setiap hari 2x sehari pagi dan sore

Untuk Pertanian Padi
Dosis 3ml/ liter air, spray saat olah lahan yakni 7hr sebelum tanam, 7hari setelah tanam,
dan setiap 2 minggu sekali total 4x selama musim tanam,
berfungsi menyehatkan tanah, pH buffer, mengendalikan virus dan jamur.

Untuk Tanaman Sayur penting untuk spray saat pengolahan lahan 7 hari sebelum tanam

Untuk Tanaman Tahunan seperti pohon durian, pisang, mangga, karet dan sawit,
spray saat awal musim penghujan,
pertengahan dan ahir musim penghujan, saat yg paling ideal adalah ketika tanah dan pohon basah.

Souce : SNTgadjah

DESINFEKTAN KANDANG HEWAN

2023-02-11T10:15:00.004-08:00

Agripesona Desinfektan Cap Badak 1ltr

2022-10-17T11:39:00.001-07:00

Obat ayam cap badak

2022-10-13T11:37:00.001-07:00

https://www.tumblr.com/izzannaura/699019149038485504/pin-on-desinfektan-cap-badak-sulfur-carbendazim

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Desinfektan Fungisida
Sulfur Carbendazim Cap Badak

disinfektan untuk kandang ayam cap badak

2022-10-10T11:28:00.001-07:00

https://www.tumblr.com/izzannaura/699018567993180160/disinfektan-untuk-kandang-ayam-cap-badak

principles for building better cities

2020-06-19T01:46:00.001-07:00

Arcology, a portmanteau of "architecture" and "ecology",^[2] is a field of creating architectural design principles for very densely populated, ecologically low-impact human habitats.

The term was coined in 1969 by architect Paolo Soleri, who believed that a completed arcology would provide space for a variety of residential, commercial, and agricultural facilities while minimizing individual human environmental impact. These structures have been largely hypothetical, as no arcology, even one envisioned by Soleri himself, has yet been built.

The concept has been popularized by various science fiction writers. Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle provided a detailed description of an arcology in their 1981 novel Oath of Fealty. William Gibson mainstreamed the term in his seminal 1984 cyberpunk novel Neuromancer, where each corporation has its own self-contained city known as arcologies. More recently authors such as Peter Hamilton in Neutronium Alchemist and Paolo Bacigalupi in The Water Knife explicitly used arcologies as part of their scenarios. They are often portrayed as self-contained or economically self-sufficient.

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Mosaic Monday #67: Feelin' the Love

2020-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hand-made card from Dear Neighbor Friend

I am not an attention seeker. More often, I can be found in the background, working diligently. Given a choice between entertaining a sizeable gathering or a cup of coffee with a close friend, the one-on-one chit-chat would win every time. But everyone wants to feel special occasionally, particularly when that occasion is one's birthday!!! This year, my birthday coincided with the last weekend of Whitefish Winter Carnival, and due to my responsibilities associated with the Carnival, I was not going to be home for much of the weekend. With that in mind, my Dear Neighbor Friend (DNF) stopped by a couple of days earlier to drop off my birthday present.

In the days leading up to my birthday, she made a point of telling me that my presents would not be items to gather dust, so I alternated between laughing and crying when I removed the tissue paper from the bag and saw the pile of cinnamon buns, as well as the ingredients for sausage gravy and biscuits. She sure knows the way to my heart (it's through my stomach)!

When I could finally tear my eyes from the delicious food, I quickly became overwhelmed by the hand-made card. DNF drew her inspiration from flip books that she created with her students, but the rest of it reflects my life. I was so touched.

Each page of the card has a picture and a phrase that finishes the sentence.

And the sentences build upon one another. The full card says:

This is the neighbor that skis and kayaks, emails and walks, hikes and visits

with the wife

that loves the husband

that feeds the kids

that adore the cat

that ignores the bird

that flits in the trees

behind the home

that Neal built.

Isn't it just incredibly clever and adorable? DNF - thank you for the wondrous start to my birthday!

The next day, the Whitefish Winter Carnival weekend began in earnest. The Carnival, now in its 61st year, has a storied tradition that includes royalty, Yetis, Viking Divas, penguins and much more. (You can read more about the legend here.) Each year, a button is designed to represent the chosen Carnival theme. My role in the Carnival involved the design and sale of the buttons. With a theme of The Roaring 2020's, the button featured the classic gold-on-black, art deco, Gatsby-esque look.

The Friday night Gala is a significant fund-raiser for the Carnival, and attendees come dressed in keeping with the Carnival theme. A button is required for entry, so I manned the door to sell buttons to anyone that didn't already possess one. It was the ideal spot to see everyone in their full 2020's regalia! As most readers know, Spousal Unit and I never miss an opportunity to dress up, and this was no exception!

Carnival Weekend reaches its peak with the Grand Parade on Saturday afternoon. Whitefish Mountain Resort sponsors a float, and since it is populated by Mountain Ambassadors, Spousal Unit and I were in the Parade!

Spousal Unit (center) with two other Ambassadors, waiting for parade to

start. Float - "Hellroaring Speakeasy"- is on the left

For the record, I do not own any furs. The fur and

stole were loaned to me by the mother of one of

the Ambassadors

It has been at least 35 years since I was in a parade, and I forgot how much fun it is. Hundreds of people throng the sidewalks. The kids are poised to pounce on the candy that scatters along the pavement as if Johnny Appleseed was sowing it. Parents keep one hand on the kids and one eye on the entertainment passing by - an almost impossible albeit admirable feat. Everyone gets into the spirit, waving and shouting and pretending to be a gangster or a flapper. For our efforts, some of us get our pictures in the paper! Now, is that a birthday present or what?

In between all of this frivolity, I was fulfilling my normal duties as an Ambassador, including skiing tours on the mountain. Suffice it to say that I was pretty exhausted by the time the end of the parade rolled around.

It was delightful to return home, shower and throw on my pajamas. In some cases, this was the first opportunity to read birthday texts and listen to phone greetings that had come in during the day. Several birthday cards also awaited me, adding to the warm, well-loved feeling.

I slept well. I might have dreamed about Yetis breaking into the speakeasy and kidnapping us, but if I did, I don't remember it. What I do recall is that Head Chef brought me breakfast in bed. One of my favorite breakfast meals - smoked salmon with caper sauce - served on toast, it was accompanied by breakfast potatoes and steaming coffee. Aaahhhh. Now my birthday was complete.

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.

Mosaic Monday #66: Spring Fever

2020-02-09T09:18:00.000-08:00

Easter wreath for our church

It may be only February 9, but recent events have conspired to push my mind (and heart) forward to Spring. Reading your blog posts, sprinkled with pictures of crocus emerging from the earth. Meeting with the church Flower Committee to plan for Lent, especially the pretty pastel colors that signify Easter morning. Discussing summer camping plans with Spousal Unit, since the application deadline for Glacier National Park is March 15.

I reached for my hiking journal, and promptly got lost among the wildflowers and lakes. Who knows how much time passed before I re-focused and decided to share two excursions from Spring 2019? (My structured self pushed to write about a hike on September 6, 2017 - in chronological order, it's the next one for a post, but you whimsical, will-o-the-wisp types will be happy to know that heart ruled over mind this time. After all, these Spring hikes fit the theme and my mood.) Enough of the preamble, let's hike!

Thursday, April 18, 2019 - Apgar Lookout - 9 miles out and back (Entry 45 in the journal)

Our first hike of 2019 was designed to initiate our training with our new backcountry camping gear, so we didn't mind repeating a hike we had previously completed with our son in May 2017. I carried 15 pounds and Spousal Unit hoisted 25, and we were both comfortable, even when we encountered snow from the last switchback to the summit. At points, we could walk on the edges of the trail, but at the higher elevations, the snow was easily 5 feet deep.

Near the summit

And how do I know the depth? At the summit, I went to use the pit toilet. No luck. I couldn't get the door open, but I could have walked directly onto the roof from the snow pile! I wish now that I had taken a picture of it!

View of Lake McDonald from the summit

Given this hike was nearly a month earlier than the previous time we came this way, flowers, plants and animals were not as abundant. Some buds were just beginning to pop.

Traction is often more critical going downhill, since gravity is "helping" you, so we strapped on our Traxx and reversed course. In no time we crossed the bridge and skirted the paddock for the trail ride horses (summer only). At this elevation, life was a little more evident - deer, Columbian ground squirrels and a mountain bluebird shared the quiet meadow. I couldn't help but imagine that they were enjoying the peace which exists before the tourists/horses arrive.

On our way home, we stopped at Glacier Distilling. Although we have passed it often, this was our first visit. A craft distillery and tasting room nestled in the foothills of Glacier National Park, it specializes in small-batch whiskeys that "reflect the rugged beauty of our surroundings". So good!

Bottom right: "Fireside Chat" cocktail - Fireweed Cherry Bourbon,

blood orange, charred rosemary shrub, sparkling soda

We went home with a botte of the Fireweed Cherry Bourbon!

Thursday, May 23, 2019 - Finger Lake Trailhead - 7 miles total (Entry 46 in the journal)

Our training regimen continued with this hike, featuring a shorter distance and less elevation but with more weight in our packs (18 for me and 30 for Spousal Unit). I was thrilled that we quickly came across a huddle of several Calypso Orchids. (See 3/9/18, 10/1/17 and 7/1/17 for more pictures of my favorite Montana flower.) Our strategy to choose a hike at a lower altitude in order to avoid snow and see more wildlife was already paying dividends! This hike also boasts three lakes within a short distance, which can be beneficial when hosting guests with a moderate level of fitness. So, this trip served as reconnaissance for the future. Win, win, win!!!

We originally planned to go to Finger Lake first, but the signpost we expected was missing, so going straight led us to Lagonis Lake.

Flowers were abundant, drawing critters such as this caterpillar.

Middle: Star-flowered False Solomon's Seal Right: Common Paintbrush

Upper left: Blue Violet Upper right: Silverberry

Bottom: Common Paintbrush

At this low elevation, we were surprised to see beargrass. And it had already formed heads for blooming.

We re-traced our steps, locating the turn we missed. On the way to Finger Lake, you pass through a meadow teeming with desert parsley, shooting stars and blue-eyed mary.

Middle: Shooting Stars Right: Hearleaf Arnica turns its face to the sun

Finger Lake features a dramatic flat rock outcropping, an ideal spot for snacking while overlooking the lake. Serviceberry bloomed profusely, framing the lake with frothy white.

Casting a final glance back at the idyllic scene above, we sauntered along the trail to the final lake in this triple crown of jewels - Hole in the Wall Lake. The trail traverses a marshy area, and thankfully a log boardwalk was built in 2015 to get over it with dry feet. As you approach, you catch a whiff of the pungent aroma emanating from the prolific skunk cabbage in the marsh.

Middle: Skunk Cabbage Left and Right: Unidentified plant that was also numerous in the marsh

The trail climbed steeply from the marsh, but only briefly before flattening and leading to the lake nestled against a stunning backdrop of sheer cliffs with red striations on the opposite shore.

Spousal Unit tried his hand at fly-fishing, but it was difficult with the tree-crowded shoreline. We employed our water filter for the first time to prepare our lunch and refill our water bottles. The Mesquite BBQ Seasoned Chicken with Beans and Rice was terrible - too much tomato and powdery tasting. This certainly would not be one of the meals we would take into the backcountry!

We arrived back at the trailhead by 3pm, which allowed plenty of time for a stop at the Stillwater Bar. Cheek to jowl with the Stillwater River, it's a terrific setting to sip an adult beverage and re-cap the day's adventures. And to dream about the hiking adventures to come!

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #65: American Sign Museum

2020-02-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

Our daughter has abundant talents, and one of them is her uncanny ability to discover quirky museums. So it was that we found ourselves at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, during our November visit to Ohio. Get ready for some eye candy, coupled with sign trivia that you will probably appreciate, and then promptly forget!

Examples of trade signs, such as the

top hat for a men's clothing shop

Signs are the oldest form of advertising, dating back more than 5,000 years. Throughout most of their history, signs have been symbolic and taken the shape of what is known as a "trade sign". Trade signs are visual images - painted, but more often three-dimensional - that represent the business, product or service offered.

The use of letters in signage is actually a recent development, gaining acceptance only in the mid to late 19th century. This era's signs assumed the character of print advertising, which became practical only through increased literacy. At first, letters were flat-painted onto a background, but the cut-out letter soon followed.

Picture can be enlarged to read about Smalt, a texture applied to the

paint for the background of signs, improving the readability of the words

Smalt came in diverse colors

The first wall of the museum contains a condensed history of dimensional letters, with examples from each of the key eras - hand-carved and gilded letters in the 1890s; first electric signs of the Lightbulb Era circa 1910; backlit, "raised" opal glass letters from the teens; Neon Era in the late 1920s with exposed tubing mounted on raised letters; plastics prevalent in the sign industry after World War II.

History wall - oldest letters on the right progressing to newest on the left

Plastic letter sample case. 1960s era sample case was given to sign companies by Wagner Zip-Change, Inc., of Melrose Park, IL. Kit included a number of sample letters and a miniature, backlit reader board for displaying letters.

Big Boy. The late 1960s version of this famous icon has the tell-tale three-dimensional slingshot, red hair and striped pants of the early version. Later versions either had the slingshot embossed to his pants, or more recently, had no slingshot at all, thanks to political correctness. The modern Big Boy also sports checked pants vs. the early stripes, and brown or black hair rather than the more mischievous red. Today's Big Boys are also not as well-fed as the original.

Showcards were a staple of commercial signshops up until the advent of digital printing in the 1980s. They could be as simple as knockout department store "Sale" signs, or as refined as theatre posters of the 1920s-1940s with portrait-like pictorials of starring actors/actresses. The Showcard artists who created these fine art posters were those who had a little more flair with the brush. Unfortunately, not many of these treasures survived, for at the time, they were considered "temporary" and were tossed out once the movie had run its course.

If showcards were reserved for painters with the most flair, gold-leaf on glass was seen as the most revered technique among sign painter circles. Gilding was "high art" and commanded great respect. Chicago-based Rawson and Evans was known exclusively for its fancy "chipped glass signs", and the company created the large glue-chipped and gilded mahogany-framed glass signs for a cigar store owned by the Breneiser family. The signs epitomize the height of the fancy glass signs of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Lightbulb Era: 1900 - 1925. Regal Boot. The circa 1910 cast metal boot was originally located in Brooklyn, NY. When acquired, the sign had been retrofitted with neon tubing. The museum left one side with the neon, and restored the other to its original lightbulb illumination. The flashing border was also restored.

Green and white glass backlit by lightbulbs, within a metal frame

We came all the way to Cincinnati to see a sign from Montana! In the 1930s, this sign was in downtown Missoula.

The deco design porcelain neon sign features gilded, raised letters, a trademark of the manufacturer,

Artkraft Signs, Lima, OH.

Manufactured by the McSavaney Company of Springfield, OH, this circa 1925 "punch-out" sign is internally illuminated with incandescent lightbulbs. Louvered "holes" are punched into the sheet metal to allow light to filter through and illuminate the letters and borders. Background is glass smalts as is typical of McSavaney signs.

Post World War II Neon Era: 1945 - 1960

"Golfer". An excellent example of a sign bridging the Neon and Plastic Eras by incorporating both types of illumination: backlit plastic and exposed neon. Sign originally identified a short 9-hole golf course at a former Rochester, NY amusement park. It originally was mounted on a pole and rotated; unfortunately, the back half of the plastic golf ball was missing when the sign was purchased.

The early 1950's porcelain enamel neon sign below originally identified a Kansas City area motel. It is a 'transition' sign from the standpoint that it bridges the Plastic and Neon Eras - the plastic sun/moon and cloud formation are internally illuminated with neon. This sign was donated by Jim Seelen, Shawnee, KS. Seelen has been photographically documenting vintage neon motel signs for more than 3 decades. He personally rescued this sign from its original site.

1963 Speedee McDonald's Sign - Huntsville, AL. The below example of the iconic "Speedee" single-arch sign originally identified one of several franchise stores in Huntsville, AL owned by the Steve Johnson family. The sign was threatened with destruction when the family planned to expand the store in 2008 and needed to move the sign closer to the road. The city would not grant a variance to move and re-install the sign. Various options were explored to keep the sign in its native Huntsville, but ultimately the Johnsons approached the museum about purchasing the sign. A deal was made and the museum arranged to have the sign taken down - amidst much local fanfare - and transported to Cincinnati. Total cost for removal, transportation, restoration and installation was approximately $30,000.

When the sign was acquired, the "15 cents" had been painted over, and the "ONE" had been updated to "99". In the museum, one side was left in that condition, while the side you are seeing was restored to its original condition.

Left: I love the intricacy of the top of the Howard Johnson's sign

Right: Vic Cassano Pizza King is a restaurant that recalls my childhood in a suburb of Dayton, OH - I don't think

we ever sat in one, but my Dad raved about the entrepreneurship of a local grocer who built a pizza dynasty

So, did you enjoy the tour? Which sign appealed to you the most? What childhood memories do you have of roadway signs, business signs or other forms of advertisement? Maybe tomorrow you will take a closer look at all the signs that populate our world!

Mosaic Monday

Thank You for being my Friend

2020-01-29T12:12:00.000-08:00

In March, I will celebrate my third anniversary in the blogosphere. Making the acquaintance of numerous fellow bloggers through this forum has been a joy and a privilege. When I commenced this adventure, I could not have dreamed that I would come to call so many of you friends, despite the fact we have never been face to face. I dedicate this post to all of you, and I am thrilled to link up with my favorite memes, too. Here's to friendship!

What has occupied your time in January? Following the holidays, my normal routines have resumed. Tasty breakfasts prepared by Head Chef.

Drawing. I was inspired to create this picture following our pastor's sermon about the Epiphany. My personal epiphany from it: Go a Different Way!

Enjoying time with Dear Neighbor Friend, whether it is cross-country skiing, feeding birds or simply walking.

Left: Mountain lion tracks Right: Mountain chickadee

Snuggling on the couch with Maggie the cat as my heating blanket.

Hosting Munch and Make for my crafty buddies.

Upper left: crochet headband Upper middle/right: stuffed nose for gnome

Lower left: hand-colored card Lower right: Culinary delights from Head Chef

I was delighted to receive this hand-made gift from one of the craft group. The base is a slice of a tree with a hanger on the back. The peacock feathers, pine cones and other décor are glued to the base. As a final touch, the twine holds four clothes' pins, suitable for displaying photos or recipe cards or any number of other curios. Isn't she talented?

Walking in the winter wonderland of our back forty.

A little reading at night. Dear Neighbor Friend loaned me this book, and I adored it. True stories documented by Donald Davis, Cripple Joe reminded me of my own father and my childhood. The picture on the cover even resembles my Dad! Does anybody remember the candy Nik L Nips wax bottles? I hadn't thought about them for decades until they appeared in one of Mr. Davis' stories. I was especially struck to read about Stayman Winesaps. Although you won't find a Winesap in stores or at most farmer's markets, my Dad grew them in our orchard, so I was thrilled to see them mentioned. I highly recommend this book!

And sometimes, the month brings surprises, such as this bright bouquet from Spousal Unit.

Head on over to these memes and see what other delights might be in store!

Floral Friday Fotos

Friday Bliss

I Like Thursday
My Corner of the World
Nature Notes
Saturday's Critters
Skywatch Friday
Thankful Thursday
Wandering Camera

Willy Nilly Friday

MM #64: Kiplin Hall, Back from the Brink

2020-01-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

View of Kiplin Hall on October 28, 2019

How long have I been in love with historic homes in the UK? At least 30 years!

These homes, preserved for our education, wonder and enjoyment, share numerous common elements. Walled gardens, sweeping lawns, ancient families, period furniture, and, of course, a striking home. But each one has a unique tale, and inevitably, intriguing idiosyncrasies. Welcome to the story of Kiplin Hall!

Built in the early 1620's, it was owned by four fascinating families related by blood and marriage.

The beginning: in the 13th century, Kiplin became part of the landholding of Easby Abbey, a monastery five miles to the west. (Yes, you have read about Easby on my blog - see this post. Small country, small world.) After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, the land was purchased by the Calvert family. George Calvert was born there in 1859 and built the Hall between 1622 - 1625.

Scores of flowers despite our visit in late October!

In the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, a gentleman's house was a visible symbol of his status. George Calvert built a tall, symmetrical red-brick house, using fashionable design features such as the diamond-shaped diapering pattern in blue-black bricks on the east front. Many contemporary houses had corner towers with leaded domes; Kiplin was unique in placing the towers in the center of each façade.

Ironically, George Calvert and his descendants never lived in the house. George was instrumental in establishing the colony of Maryland in the US, and his descendants lived there or in the south of England. In 1722, Charles Calvert sold the Hall and its 800 acres to his mother's second husband, Christopher Crowe.

The first owners to live in the Hall, the Crowe family increased the estate to 4,500 acres. To make the Hall more fashionable and comfortable, Christopher Crowe added the central staircase, Georgian fireplaces, and decorative plasterwork. The estate passed to Christopher Crowe's nephew, Robert, in 1782. When Robert's daughter Sarah inherited Kiplin in 1818, the estate passed through marriage to the Carpenter family.

Ceiling in the dining room

Sarah and her husband John Carpenter continued to improve and enlarge both the estate and the home. The symmetry of the original building was further altered in the 1820s, when they built a Gothic style Drawing Room to the south. Lady Sarah also developed the pleasure gardens, creating paths through the woods and the walled gardens.

In 1868, Kiplin passed to a cousin, Walter Cecil Talbot, on the condition that he change his name to Carpenter. He rose to Admiral in the Royal Navy, and made many enhancements to the estate buildings and gardens. Countless items in the house were collected, commissioned or made by the Carpenters. Family scrapbooks and photo albums compiled between 1860 and 1904 give a wonderful picture of the country house lifestyle of the period. The death of the Admiral in 1904 marked the end of an era.

This mahogany cabinet was designed by Chippendale and was

commissioned to house the decorative panels of pietra dura.

Pietra dura means hard stone, and the charming scenes of the

Italian countryside are made of marble and other colored stones.

Miss Bridget Talbot

Kiplin began its decline as a country house when Sarah Talbot Carpenter married and moved away. Between 1905 and 1930, Sarah sold off most of the estate until only the Hall, a few outbuildings and 120 acres remained. In 1938, Sarah made her cousin, Bridget Talbot, joint owner of Kiplin. Bridget lived a varied and adventurous life, including serving the Red Cross on the Italian front line during the First World War, which earned her an Italian Medal of Honor and an OBE. In a major campaign in the 1920s and 1930s to save the lives of Merchant Seamen, Bridget invented a waterproof torch for lifebelts that became a standard part of safety equipment.

During the Second World War, Kiplin Hall was requisitioned by the Army and later turned into flats for Royal Air Force officers. (This room in the house has been left as is to show how it looked at that time, with modifications to bedrooms in order to create flats.) There was considerable damage and little hope of compensation. Nevertheless, Bridget worked tirelessly to save Kiplin.

Left: "Bugingham Palace" - Get it?!? Right: Conkers, also known as Horse Chestnuts

From the 1940s to the 1960s, Bridget struggled to ensure Kiplin's survival. She approached many organizations and negotiated with the National Trust for years. On several occasions she announced her decision to demolish the increasingly derelict Hall, but she never did. Finally, in 1968, Bridget established the Kiplin Hall Trust.

Following Bridget's death in 1971, the trustees endeavored to maintain the Hall. Financial assistance from Maryland in the 1970s and 1980s carried the house until its future was finally secured in the 1990s. Income produced from quarrying gravel in the parkland was sufficient to put the trust on a firm footing, and also created an attractive lake. Major restoration work since 1998 has brought Kiplin back to life as a welcoming Victorian country house. Bridget, your hard work paid off - you can rest easy now!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.

Mosaic Monday #62: Hamburg, Part III

2020-01-11T18:29:00.000-08:00

The peace of the holidays is rapidly dissipating. Wildfires in Australia. Tension between the US and Iran. And closer to home, the sale of 630,000 acres of Montana timber land by Weyerhaeuser to Southern Pine Plantations, a Georgia-based brokerage and investment firm. Rumors abound that treasured public access to recreation areas will evaporate as smaller parcels are sold to developers.

While I am not one to panic, it is enough to bring on a general sense of unease. In response, I pray. And then I look for escape. Akin to the proverbial ostrich, I stick my head in the sand of happier, carefree days. So let us return to October 2019, and our trip to Hamburg, Germany. As I wrote in my previous two posts, a city of romance, and of hopes and dreams.

Our tour of inspiring churches resumed with the Russian Orthodox Gnadenkirche ('church of mercy'). The round church was built in 1907 and for almost a century served as an Evangelic Lutheran house of God. As the number of churchgoers petered out, in 2004 the church was acquired by the parish of Saint John of Kronstadt. After extensive renovations to suit its new congregation, the church now possesses captivating frescoes and intricate iconostasis crafted by Moscow's premier icon painters.

Iconostasis - a screen bearing icons, separating the

sanctuary from the nave

Our admiration continued, albeit in a more natural setting. Planten un Blomen ('plants and flowers') is a 116-acre urban park, famous for its water-light concerts, public theater and music performances. It is easy to imagine summer-time, with families strolling wide pathways, and couples relishing a picnic while lounging on a blanket near one of the numerous water features. This day, light rain spattered the ponds and gravel paths, leaving the park to a handful of visitors braving the weather. Readers, you know my adoration for any garden, so you will believe me when I write that my enthusiasm was not dampened by a pinch of precipitation.

By evening, the walking tour resulted in a voracious appetite. Once again, Dr. H hit the mark with a reservation at La Creperie Bretonne de Hambourg. As you might surmise from the name, this restaurant serves only crepes and galettes, but I challenge you to peruse the menu without finding at least three dishes you would like to sample. And then you have a decision to make about a dessert crepe! Ooh la la!

Staff were dressed in traditional French garb (think white and blue striped seaman shirts) and speaking French!

Stuffed full of crepes, I was ready for fresh air and a promenade to our next destination, the Elphi. On our first day in town, we viewed the Elphi from a distance, but Dr. H promised that a night-time visit has a magic all its own. As we approached the Philharmonic Hall, its dazzling blue and white lights pulled us forward like bees to honey. We were bewitched by the escalator, which curves over its 270-foot length as you ascend to the Plaza level.

A stroke of marketing genius, the Plaza permits access without concert tickets - thousands of visitors cop an up-close view of the building's architecture, undoubtedly resolving on the spot to attend the next available performance. And then, there is the panoramic vista of the harbor - everywhere you look, people lean on the railings, taking in the ships outlined by strings of lights, with Hamburg's skyline beyond. Who can resist a romantic picture for two?

The night was still young when we crossed town to the Reeperbahn, Hamburg's legendary nightlife mile. Its reputation as the red-light district jangled a few of my nerves, but I rested easy in the trustworthy hands of Dr. H. Although the area offers "adult services" of every type, most are not obvious and many are on side streets. In the end, the Reeperbahn reminded me of the music scene in Nashville, the neon of Las Vegas and a US-style Spring Break, rolled into one. Dr. H took us to two of her favorite bars, and we danced our little feet off. Before we boarded the train to head to her apartment, I was tickled to see a bar with my name. Who knew?

The next day saw a late start (“old” people need their sleep), and it was mid-morning when the train swept us to Blankenese, on the western outskirts of Hamburg. Blankenese is a wealthy residential district known for its half-timbered fishermen’s houses and pre-war villas, many of which line the winding stairs of the Treppenviertel (German for “staircase quarter”) neighborhood. I was fascinated by the contrast of traditional homes cheek to cheek with ultra-modern construction. Just a guess – being fit is a requirement to live here; I read a statistic that the average mail carrier in this village covers 5,000 steps and 300 feet of elevation each day.

The rain had picked up again by the time we chose a lunch spot, but that did not deter us from outside dining. As I reported in an earlier post, many restaurants provide heaters, blankets and even awnings to protect customers from the elements. That said, my pumpkin soup was a warm welcome.

The restaurant offered a ring-side seat to the harbor action, as container ships were loaded by sky-high cranes. Impossibly large cruise ships squeezed past the commercial operators, their captains somehow keeping them within the deepest parts of the channel. Soon enough, we joined the fray on the ferry that transported us back to Hamburg.
Although we were still satisfied from our lunch, Dr. H convinced us (it wasn’t too difficult) that we must try the fischbrochten at her favorite harbor-side shop. We gazed into the glass case to select among these sandwiches, made with fish and complemented by one or more of the following: onions, pickles, remoulade, creamy horseradish sauce, ketchup or cocktail sauce. Spousal Unit was in his element, recalling the salty, fresh fish of his youth. (Of course, the souvenir emporiums beckoned and we documented our stay in Hamburg with his and hers t-shirts, and a shot glass for his bar.)

Too soon, it was our last day, and Dr. H laid a fine breakfast table before she returned to work. We ran 6 miles (gotta do something to work off those calories) and finished our packing in time to head for the train to the airport. We felt like locals when we grumbled about waiting FOUR MINUTES!

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #61: Holiday Leftovers

2020-01-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

Cheesecake made by the husband of my dear neighbor friend

The end of a year tends to bring out lists of all sorts – 15 Series Finales in 2019, Graded; Highest Paid CEOs in 2019; 15 Things that will Cost More in 2020; Notable Celebrity Deaths in 2019.

Make it the end of a decade and suddenly we are bombarded with additional inventories – Biggest Product Flops of the Decade; Things We Want to Leave in the 2010s; How our Phones became our Whole Lives in 10 Years.

Bloggers are not immune to this propensity – since New Year's Day I have seen all of the following in the blogosphere: A favorite photo for each month of 2019; The most popular posts from 2019; Favorite mosaics from 2019; a re-cap of key life events, complete with the posts that describe them.

But I find that I am not quite ready to let go of 2019, not yet. You see, I have some unfinished business, some holiday leftovers, as it were. So allow me to close this chapter, and then I will move on, with the rest of you!

#1 Son invested many an hour in band during his high school years, and with those fond memories in mind, we all looked forward to the Christmas Holiday Pops Concert performed by the Glacier Symphony. Overall, it was an enjoyable mixture of popular tunes, classic orchestral works and new pieces. Unfortunately, we were seated near some young children who made enough noise to really detract from the concert, especially the quieter, introspective pieces. And the kicking on the back of our seats didn’t help! I am all for kids being exposed to the Symphony, but maybe they should be a little over two years old …

Upper right: Whitefish Lake

Our winter has been quite mild thus far, even alternating between snow and rain. Fortunately, altitude on Big Mountain has permitted the ski season to continue, and two days of alpine frolic with #1 Daughter were joyful. Also, we gave the kids a half-day snowmobile tour as a Christmas gift, and they thoroughly enjoyed it, despite some initial trepidation.

A stop along the snowmobile trail

(Internet)

Movie nights were popular while our kids were here, and for the most part we have moved on from the Disney and Veggie Tales movies of their early years (although we did watch the live action version of Aladdin, as well as Paddington 2). Other films included Late Night, Yesterday, and The Aeronauts. I recommend all of them. But by far and away the best movie was Klaus, a witty, charming movie that will warm your heart. The plot is a clever depiction of how one selfless act can launch countless other selfless acts. I know Christmas is over, but this is an uplifting story that I think is worthy at any time of year. Just make sure you have a tissue box at hand!

In my last post, I mentioned Christmas crackers. I was intrigued to find that each of our crackers contained the history of Tom Smith, the inventor of this Christmas tradition, which seems to have spread from the UK to many other parts of the world.

Joke from one of the crackers: What do you call an artist who sculpts with bicycle parts? Cycle-Angelo

It just keeps getting better: Why did the raisin go out with the prune? Because he couldn’t find a date

Gifts from the crackers: Mouth freshener, Key Chain, Pen, Screwdriver

In that same post, I showed you one of my presents; now I can share the rest of my treasures.

Left: Oriole Jelly Feeder (with Jelly)

Upper right: Massage gift card, Gold earrings, Pill planner (am I THAT old?)

Lower right: Stroopwafels, Cedar and Balsam candle, Ferrero chocolates

Left: Moose scarf; slippers Middle: Ballerina Giraffe - thanks, Mom! Right: Drawing pad/pencils

Early in December, the mail box yielded a catalog from Heifer International. If you have never

heard of this, check it out! You can give chickens, goats, water for life, heifers, and so on!

#1 Son purchased a flock of chickens in my name. Inspiring!

During some holiday down time, I moved my trail cam a couple of times, but only captured more deer. My favorite is the antler picture - imagine the size of the buck that goes with it!

As if to prepare a clean slate for the New Year, it began snowing on New Year’s Eve, not long after we had dropped #1 Daughter at the airport (de-icing almost caused her to miss her connection in Denver). The snow continued to pile up, and I could not resist the opportunity for a walk in the white wonderland. The only reason I returned home was the impending dark …

Can you see the snow flakes against the background of the house?

To add to the symbolism, New Year's Day brought blue skies and puffy clouds, and toward sunset, the clouds blushed pink. A new beginning, a blank slate, the blush of youth, opening night, hitting the re-set button, a fresh start. Yes, now I am ready for 2020.

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #60: A Little Taste of Christmas

2019-12-28T21:32:00.000-08:00

Felt board - a gift to #1 Daughter

Santa shot glasses - a gift to Spousal Unit

As quickly as it came, it went. The wrapping paper, crumpled into snowball-sized shapes, waits to serve as fuel for our next fireplace inferno. The spent poppers and shells of the Christmas crackers have been swept into the bin, save for the ribbons, which I keep for some as-yet-unimagined craft project. The turkey has been picked over, the meaty bits in the Tupperware for sandwiches or the occasional late-night steal direct from the Fridge. Yet the memories are as sweet as the brandied fruitcake that we enjoyed Christmas morning.

I may only have a limited window to compose this post, but for all the right reasons - our kids are still here and I am maximizing my time with them. So, I will give you a little taste of our Christmas through photos more so than the written word, but I think you will forgive me that, just this once?

No shortage of yummy snacks around the house!

Christmas Eve morning, we woke up to snow - a white Christmas after all!

Middle left: Maggie tired out from opening presents

Bottom left: Hand-made ornament for #1 Daughter

Middle: Listography book from #1 Daughter

The Christmas feast

Hand-made ornament for #1 Son

I pray that your Christmas brought you what you seek the most, be it peace, freedom, joy, good health, refuge, time with family, relief from sorrow, or a new pair of hop-a-long boots!

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #59: Christmas Contentment

2019-12-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one to you
"Merry Christmas Darling", written by Frank Pooler/Richard Carpenter

Are you still in the grip of the "Christmas rush"? Leading up to December 13, I was feeling that crush. #1 Son was due to arrive that evening, and I had a long list of to-dos: housecleaning, finishing the tree skirt, completing hand-made gifts, tying up loose ends on my various volunteer projects, decorating the house. Unexpectedly, I was called upon for an evening shift at the Sparrow's Nest; it became a win-win in that I was able to work on one of my hand-made gifts at the same time.

This runner was an early Christmas gift from my mother-in-law

Preparing to cut the tree

But since then, my days have brought delightful relaxation.

First up? Cutting and decorating our tree. As I reported in last year's post, we are blessed to have a wide variety of trees on our property. Spousal Unit and I had pre-selected two candidates, and #1 Son had the privilege to make the final choice. Isn't this spruce a beauty?

Heave-ho, boys!

Tree nears the house

Drip dry in the entry

Tree in the stand, warming by the fire

We bust a gut when Spousal Unit went to install the angel on top of the tree. (I will admit that she climbed into the place of honor a little bit out of order. Traditionally, she is the last decoration on the tree, but logistics with a 15-foot tree dictate a different approach. We employ a 10-foot step ladder to populate the upper half of the tree, and if you place ornaments on the lower branches while moving that ladder in and out and around the spruce, you are bound to break some delicate decorations!!!)

Anyway … imagine if you will, Spousal Unit near the top step of said ladder, armed with a marshmallow skewer.

"Glad Mom is capturing me as I fall to my death," he says. (Note: capturing, as in photography, not catching, as in falling.)

He stretches forward carefully and maneuvers the angel onto a branch that is pointing straight up to the ceiling.

"Glad you have life insurance," #1 Son says.

But is the angel straight? No, she leans, somewhat to the side and somewhat forward, as if preparing to fall to earth.

"That may be as good as it gets," #1 Son offers helpfully.

Spousal Unit withdraws the skewer and pokes with futility at the cotton.

"Yep, you might want to cut your losses," #1 Son says from the safety of the floor.

And so she remains, a bit tilted. But isn't that a suitable metaphor for the human condition? None of us are perfect. And what better time than Advent and Christmas to strive for improvement? "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Make straight the way of the Lord'" (John 1:23)

A couple of weeks ago, we were surprised and delighted to receive a medley of tree ornaments from a good friend. Catering to our whims, he sent fishing-oriented decorations for Spousal Unit and moose-adorned baubles for me.

We have been debating about the size of the tree - taller than last year? I dug through my archives, and hereby present a side-by-side comparison for you. What do you think?

Left - 2018 tree Right - 2019 tree

Did you notice the new tree skirt on the 2019 tree?!? SO EXCITED to finally see it in place. November 17 was the last post that showed progress on the skirt; at that time, it had three rows of burlap pleats. The final skirt has 10 rows; I had planned to add three more, but at the time we were ready to put it under the tree, I realized it would be necessary to cut some slits in the remaining felt in order for the skirt to lie flat around the wooden structure that holds the spruce upright. Boy, am I glad I didn't burn the midnight oil to attach those remaining rows!

Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But ev'ryday's a holiday
When I'm near to you

Once the tree was complete, we turned our attention to other family traditions, such as board games, movie nights and baking cookies, often accompanied by Christmas music playing on our 52-year-old Magnavox stereo.

I won Trivial Pursuit - 1980's version (but I am REALLY bad at trivia)

"Do we have any paperwork on the stereo?" queried Spousal Unit earlier this week. For some time, he has been thinking we should replace the needle on this vintage Magnavox Astro-Sonic Radio Phonograph. "If we have it, it would be in with the records on the storage side of the stereo," I responded. And voila! Look what we found!

It may not have helped with locating a new needle, but the paperwork was fascinating in its own right. Mainly because there are not one but TWO receipts from Rike's Department store, dated four days apart. I asked my Mom if she remembered a story about two stereos, but she said Dad handled all the purchasing at that time. The receipts show two different model numbers, and the one with the later date was slightly more expensive - $414.44. To put that in perspective, the median household income in 1967 as $7,143 and an average house would set you back $24,600! Stated another way, $414 in 1967 money would be worth $3,000 today. Wow! Here is Marshmallow World by Johnny Mathis, a vintage song spun on that very stereo.

My friend wrote the following: This card reminded me of your

beautiful new Christmas tree skirt. Awww!

As December 25 draws near, each day brings new Christmas cards, and an occasional holiday surprise such as a neighbor dropping off a plate of home-made cookies. Yum!

The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it ev'ry day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say

I am content. The cat is on my lap, and a Frasier Fir candle is casting its pine scent into the air. I sip a holiday highball, and my thoughts turn to our daughter, who will arrive Monday morning. Our family foursome will be complete. What could be more fulfilling than that?

I wish you Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, too

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #58: Flat Stanley Visits Montana

2019-12-15T10:25:00.000-08:00

Helping me check the trail camera

Allow me to introduce you to Flat Stanley. He is a new friend of mine; we just met in Ohio while staying with my sister over the Thanksgiving holiday. She mentioned taking him on her recent trip to Hawaii, and you can bet that piqued my curiosity. I have since learned that Flat Stanley is quite the popular fellow among the elementary school set.

According to information I received from one of my nieces, her son's second-grade class recently finished the story Flat Stanley. Originally, Jeff Brown wrote this tale about a boy who is flattened by a bulletin board and the many adventures he has while being flat. He even traveled to many places through the mail!

Filling the feeders - can you

see the chickadee on the suet?

For a class assignment, my great-nephew made his own Flat Stanley, and the goal is to see how many places he can travel by April 30, 2020. The instructions are to take him everywhere, including famous or historical landmarks if possible, and to document his experiences with photos. So, I thought it could be fun to show you a little slice of my recent activities, through the eyes of Flat Stanley!

Volunteering with me at the Whitefish Museum, housed in the historic

Great Northern Railway Depot

Decorating outside the house. In the bottom picture, Flat Stanley

is posing on the step to the front porch

First day of skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Flat Stanley accompanied me to tea hosted by my Dear Neighbor Friend;
I met two new lady friends!

Refreshing an arrangement with new greenery

In order to maximize Flat Stanley’s experiences, it was suggested that we keep him no longer than two weeks. So I will shortly be chronicling his time in Montana, complete with the photos I have taken and a letter to describe them. The letter and Flat Stanley will travel back to school in Ohio, and it gives me great joy to think of the class studying the photos and reading about Montana. It's not hard to deduce that many grade-school classes are learning about geography, history and culture, all through the adventures of Flat Stanley. How cool is that?

Flat Stanley assisted with mailing Christmas cards; soon he will pass

through here himself on the way back to Ohio!

Update: Sue of Kiwikids has volunteered to host Flat Stanley, so he is on his way to Australia - thanks Sue!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Mosaic Monday #57: November Notions

2019-12-08T10:25:00.000-08:00

Notion: An impulse or desire, especially one of a whimsical kind

Notions (North American): Items used in sewing, such as buttons, pins and hooks

The fire is roaring, and Pentatonix Holiday Radio is playing on Pandora. All is right in my little corner of the world, and I am in a whimsical mood. Seems to me an ideal time to re-cap some fanciful moments from November.

How do you feel when you return home from a lengthy getaway? Hungry because there's nothing in the fridge? Forlorn because no-one has acknowledged your return? Nothing could have been further from the truth when we arrived home from our UK/Germany trip at the beginning of November. My dear neighbor friend had chicken soup and cornbread waiting so we would have dinner on our first night. We were hooked.

I am not sure which was more heart-warming - the food or the hand-made cards from her grandkids. They pressed all the right buttons with this welcome!

(internet)

I haven't been doing much cooking of late, but I had the impulse in November to concoct something with pumpkin. And if it would be suitable for breakfast in bed for my dear Spousal Unit, all the better. Voila! Pumpkin spice waffles! This was so simple to make - two mixing bowls and a waffle maker and you are good to go. Imagine my delight when Spousal Unit (a.k.a Head Chef) gave it his stamp of approval!

Do you like classic books? My dear neighbor friend recently made a trip to Tennessee, and during her visit picked up a number of books from a sale at the county library. Two "oldies but goodies" here. I took the picture in part so that I could remember to ask her for the books in the future - I have an inkling that I will like the books about Lincoln and pioneers. I have always been fascinated about both topics, and it is yet another discovery of interests we share.

Christmas is fast approaching, and stitching on my felt ornaments has continued at a steady pace. Which one do you like best? I must admit to being partial to the dapper snowmen with the top hats!

My Mom has also been busy with her crochet hook. During our visit to Ohio, I was thrilled to see some new crochet masterpieces while at her house. I am in love with the ballerina giraffe!

Spousal Unit and I treated Mom to lunch at Carrabba's, and Mom and I admired their holiday village, prompting Mom to recall a winter scene that her mother used to display. Ah, memories! Do you have a passion for such displays?

In the top photo, I love the water tower made into a snowman!

Frequent readers may be wondering if I am still monitoring my trail cam, and the answer would be yes. Then why no pix lately? Well, it's been deer, deer and more deer, and mostly at a distance. No coyotes, or turkeys or bears. But even deer can be adorable, in the right setting. I fancy the light in this picture - you can even see a sheen of moisture on that perky little nose.

This young lady clearly had the notion to get up close and personal with the camera!

As we close this chapter on November 2019, it is my sincere desire that Advent is giving you the time to reflect on the reason for the season and to share it with others. Go tell it on the mountain!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Mosaic Monday #56: A Time for Thanks

2019-12-01T06:02:00.000-08:00

Belated Happy Thanksgiving to all of my U.S. friends!

I am writing this from Ohio; today we will celebrate the baptism of a grand-niece, which was the catalyst for a week-long getaway here. I am so grateful that we have been able to
1) reunite with our old neighborhood and former work colleagues, 2) enjoy time with #1 Daughter and #1 Son and their respective boyfriend/girlfriend, 3) visit with many family members, and 4) stay with my oldest sister, who opened her home to as many as 8 guests, and also hosted Thanksgiving dinner. In other words, we are blessed!

But it also means my time to write this post is short. I hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving-themed photos below.

While we are focused on blessings, let me say that I am gratified to have a faithful following of readers. I didn't start this blog as a popularity contest, but it is deeply satisfying to see readership that is consistently over 130 visits. Thank you for keeping me company on my adventures.

And for all my dependable Mosaic Monday participants, a special note of thanks to you. Each time I type another Mosaic Monday #, I am shocked anew to realize we have been on this journey together for over 12 months. Where did the time go? I appreciate your consistent contributions, from Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Trinidad and the United States (I hope I did not leave anyone out).

Every week, I look forward to the happenings in your life, photos of nature, quilts and other crafty endeavors, and of course, your creative collages. You inspire, entertain, encourage, educate and reinforce my faith in humanity around the world. I hope we can continue to be friends for years to come! Thank you!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Mosaic Monday #55: An Autumn Amble

2019-11-23T21:08:00.000-08:00

Derwent Water

A trip to the UK is not complete until we have visited the Lake District. Also known as the Lakes or Lakeland, it is a mountainous region in Northwest England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous for its lakes, forests and mountains, and its associations with William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. The Lake District National Park was established in 1951 and covers an area of 2,362 square kilometers. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. You can read other posts about the Lakes here, here and here.

Ladies' Wellingtons ("wellies")

This time, our day out commenced with a stop at the Mainsgill Farm Shop, a scant 30 minutes from my in-laws' house. The number of farm shops in the UK has exploded since the mid-1970s, when farms began to expand from a simple stall at the farm gate to a formal shop on site. It is estimated there are 3,500 farm shops nationwide, up from 1,200 a dozen years ago. Many of these operations have become tourist attractions in their own right, with play barns, petting zoos and full-service cafes. While on-site family attractions can be a significant draw, the core principle of quality home-produced food remains the key to success for these farms.

"We are a livestock farm producing our own meats and bakery produce"

Left and middle - so many beautiful tins

Upper right - kids' wellies Lower right - chocolate Santa!

Top - look closely at the 'sausage mummies' and the 'spooky beef pumpkins'

Middle - we might not be in Montana, but the ski lodge followed us here

Bottom - I resisted the urge to buy the hedgehog notebook and the mead!

If you'd like to learn more, this link is an excellent article about the evolution of farm shops in the UK.

We parked near Ashness Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in the Lake District, with a plan to walk to Watendlath. This small hamlet nestles against Watendlath Tarn and offers a lovely tea shop to break up the walk.

Click to enlarge if you want to read the fine print

Quickly, we reached a view point overlooking Derwent Water, and it brought back memories of the hike to Cat Bells with my sister and her husband in the summer of 2017. Cat Bells is the summit that you see through this frame of trees - how fun to think that 15 months ago we were on the hillside on the other side of this lake!

After climbing a bit more through the wood, the path emerges next to a stream, crossed by this lovely wooden bridge. From that point, the stream was always on our left, and the land stretched away into farm fields until it abruptly rose to dramatic craggy outcroppings. The photo opportunities were endless, but I will restrain myself and give you just the best of the views that day.

A waterfall marks the transition from the path to the hamlet of Watendlath, and you traverse another packhorse bridge to reach the tea shop. The weather was kind enough to permit outdoor seating, and birds flitted among the tables, cleaning up the wayward crumbs.

After our break, we utilized the free (!) public restrooms. A sign on the outside wall contained some deeply surprising information - Watendlath used to be owned by the monks of Fountains Abbey! One of the largest and best preserved Cistercian monasteries in England, Fountains Abbey is another one of our treasured spots, and I wrote about our last visit there in June 2017. So I was charmed to find that the two are connected, especially considering that Watendlath is 100 miles from the Abbey. The monks of that day had a long reach!

As we left the hamlet to walk back to the car, I paused to capture the packhorse bridge, and just then a couple passed over it. With typical British humor, the male half of the couple posed for a picture. What a character!

Near the car park, the Bark House stands with a fine view of Ashness Bridge and Derwent Water beyond. In 1989, Spousal Unit stayed here with his scout group. Can you imagine 19 young men in this small hut?

It is called the Bark House because it was used to store bark for the leather industry

The sun was drifting toward the horizon as we motored to the nearest village, Keswick. Fortune was in our favor - market day in the village had brought scores of vendors to the marketplace in the center of town. I was delighted to spy a representative of the Bird of Prey Centre, with a feathered companion. We gladly paid the fee to get my picture taken with Fuzz, a southern white-faced owl that was bred in captivity and serves as an adorable ambassador for his fellow raptors.

We made the most of the remaining light to stroll through the park to Derwent Water. We have passed this way many times, from our dating days to summer holidays with the kids to our last visit in the summer of 2017 with my sister and her husband. It brought back such pleasant memories of putt-putt golf, and feeding the ducks and geese. The gardens were past their prime, but I still managed to compose some colorful shots.

In a fitting end to the day, we had dinner at the George and Dragon pub.

Given our visit to Wainwright country, it was entirely appropriate (although perhaps a coincidence) that the men were drinking Wainwright golden ale served in a Wainwright glass. I wholeheartedly endorse the advice printed on the glass - "Find Your Mountain".

Due to travel, I may be late in commenting on your blog posts, but I will be on-line this week. Hope you can join in!

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #54: October Odds & Ends

2019-11-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

Is it too late to write about October? I still have a mountain of material from our trip to Europe, but some odds and ends from last month are calling to me. So, take a clue from the turkey - slow down, get a cup or glass of your favorite beverage, and read on!

We began the month in Missoula for Homecoming festivities at the University of Montana. We are not alumni, but we miss the sentiment of hometown football games, especially the marching band. For four years back in Ohio, we never missed a game. We had quite a merry group of band parents, and relished supporting #1 Son in the drum line. Spousal Unit and I both needed a "marching band fix", and were prepared to drive 2.5 hours to get it!

Coincidentally, downtown Missoula has a farmer's market on Saturdays, and we strolled among the vendors prior to attending the Homecoming Parade.

The University marching band led off the parade, followed by your customary floats, horses, Shriners driving miniature cars, dance troupes and politicians angling for your vote.

I admired the creativity of the "stage" float, with actors performing skits the entire parade route, and the "dueling" pianos.

Units were still rolling past with no end in sight, but it was time to make our way to the stadium, a 15-minute walk. With our tummies rumbling, it was convenient that we would pass through the market once again - who could resist a waffle sandwich?

My blogging buddy Kit of A Montana Life is a stalwart UM fan, and she advised being in our seats for the pre-game show, which includes Monte (the team mascot) and the band entering the stadium. She was spot on! It was a special treat to see the skydivers land so expertly smack in the middle of the field.

We were glad to have our waterproof coats and a waterproof blanket as the weather alternated between light rain and blue skies. UM's fortunes waxed and waned with the rain, but they ultimately dominated Idaho State 59-20. We enjoyed the night life in Missoula that evening, and after attending Mass, returned home through the rolling hills the next day.

Band spells out G-R-I-Z

Harvested seeds in my "bucket"

At that point, only six days remained until our departure to Europe. I focused heavily on my to-do list, which included planting flower and grass seed. We had some native grass seed left from last fall, but it was not enough to cover the bare patches that required re-seeding. I resorted to harvesting grass seed from our yard - it's not a physically demanding task, but it is tedious and I was repeatedly amazed at how quickly I spread what had taken me an hour to collect. I didn't keep track, but I invested many hours in this process over those six days.

In my October 6 post, I wrote about some challenges with my tree skirt. Before our trip, I created a new pattern and went to Hobby Lobby to purchase new burlap colors. This allowed me to cut all the strips so they would be ready and waiting for my return. I am going to cheat a little and give you some current pictures of the skirt in progress - I am thrilled with how it looks so far!

Three weeks is a long time to be away from friends, so visiting with my dear neighbor friend was a priority before our journey. We kayaked on a misty morning, and later in the day she brought us some fresh cinnamon rolls, just ideal with afternoon coffee. We walked the frosty hills, and that is when I snapped the picture of the turkey crossing sign, which stands to one side of a track through her property. "What is this doing here?" I asked. "Well, remember that this track used to be the county road before they developed the current route. So, this sign was installed by the county to warn drivers about a frequent turkey crossing, and it was never taken down." Oh. Wouldn't you love to have your own turkey sign?

On one of my other walkabouts, I passed this snake on the road just outside our driveway. With a sunny day, it was obviously trying to capture the last of the fall warmth. Normally a snake like this will slither away on your approach, but it did not move, even when I crouched down to take a close-up. I spoke to it, telling it to find a different sunbed or risk getting squished. Maybe I should have been more proactive, because when I returned later, I found a snake that would not be slithering any more. Sad.

To wrap my oddities post on a more cheerful note, I was tickled a few weeks ago that LeeAnna of Not Afraid of Color posted a moose in my honor. Since then, I keep seeing flamingoes EVERYWHERE. LeeAnna, this mosaic is for you.

Left - aren't these just ADORABLE slippers?

I always endeavor to close a post in a nice, neat way - this comic fell into my lap, bringing us full circle from turkey to flamingo!

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #53: Hamburg, Part II

2019-11-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

I am cuddled up in our log home, the barren aspen branches waving to me just beyond the windows. We returned on Tuesday after a three-week getaway, and were greeted by the dramatic transformation from Autumn to Winter. To quote Dorothy - "There's no place like home", but part of me is already missing the temperate environment in Europe. So join me for part II of our Hamburg experience.

Give me a choice between sweet and salty foods, and I will lean salty every time. Hence my pure enjoyment of a typical German breakfast - breads, cheeses, meats and fruit. Eleven years ago, Dr. H. introduced us to Tete de Moine cheese when we visited her in Switzerland, and since then we look for it everywhere we go. What a lovely surprise to see it on her breakfast table the second day!

The Tete de Moine is the frilly cheese in the center of the wooden platter.

You need a special device, called a girolle, to thinly shave the cheese

into these shapes.

A first-class tour guide considers her audience and their interests, and Dr. H. exceeded my expectations when she suggested the Ballinstadt Emigration Museum as our next destination. She knows my family emigrated from Germany to the US, and correctly presumed that I would be intrigued to visit the former emigration station in Hamburg that served as the final European home for five million emigrants from the 1850s - 1930s.

The museum takes its name from Albert Ballin, who ran the HAPAG shipping company and prospered from advancing the idea of using the 'tween decks for efficient transportation of emigrants.

"Ballinstadt" translates to "Ballin City", and this resulted from Ballin's vision to satisfy the emigrants' leisure and entertainment needs. The picture to the left shows Ballinstadt in "the day", with emigration halls, treed walkways, a church, a dining hall, playgrounds and a music hall. Only three of the buildings remain today - if you look closely, you can see that three of the "C"-shaped buildings are colored a light green - these are the remaining buildings. In 2007, the Museum was opened utilizing those three structures.

The emigration halls were extended several times from 1898 to 1907, and collectively were known as "The World's Biggest Inn". Three thousand people could be fed in one hour; 8,000 to 10,000 bread rolls were consumed every day. The steady influx of emigrants from Eastern Europe led to constant overcrowding from 1904 on. Some days the halls were home to as many as 3,500 people - as opposed to the maximum permitted 1,200. As recent world events continue to demonstrate, people will endure unspeakable conditions in the search for a better life.

As we moved from the first building, we found that the subject shifts from a Hamburg-centric view of emigration to focus on the phenomenon of emigration on a world-wide scale, studying the causes of emigration and its implications. According to a 2014 report, 59.8 million people were fleeing throughout the world - flight being one of many forms of migration. Of those 59.8 million people, 38.5 million were displaced within their own countries, 19.5 million were border-crossing refugees, and 1.8 million were asylum seekers.

In a series of well-appointed rooms, the museum presents the "pull-factors" (Gold Rush, popular literature, the American Dream, letters from other emigrants, giving away land through legislation such as the Homestead Act in the US) and "push-factors" (lack of job opportunities, racial discrimination, wars and political intolerance) associated with emigration. I was fascinated to find that Canada has utilized the catch-phrase "Last Best West" to attract people. Montana today is commonly referred to as the "Last Best Place". Go figure!

Top: Desk (cool how it was attached to the wall) with letters from emigrants

Lower Left: Boys can dream of being President!

Lower Right: Letter from Emigrant in Cleveland, February 16, 1911

The final building of the museum highlights the experience of emigrants once they reached the US, as well as the evolving state of migration around the world. For example, the "green card" was introduced in Germany in August 2000 to attract foreign experts in information technology. Here I learned that the US celebrates more Oktoberfest than Germany! (By the way, we did not attend Oktoberfest while in Hamburg, due to a scarcity of tickets. In the end, I am glad - I learned more about Hamburg through Dr. H. and her choice of destinations than I ever would have learned from Oktoberfest!)

And last but not least, the museum offers free access to Ancestry.com via a bank of three computers conveniently located next to the café. I was delighted to find the records of my father's family, who emigrated from Bremen, Germany in 1834. I was already familiar with their emigration story, but it was still exciting to see it here after four fascinating hours in the museum. My heartfelt gratitude to Dr. H. for a unique educational, mind-expanding experience!

There was a down-side to the museum - Lola was not welcome, so when we returned to the apartment we retrieved the faithful sidekick and strolled to the market for some foodstuffs.

Along the way, we passed the TRUDE, the head of the boring machine that was used to create a tunnel under the Elbe. As you can see in the picture below, it is almost four stories tall. The TRUDE is displayed here because the Museum of Work is across the courtyard - although we did not go in the Museum, I think it would be worth a visit in the future as it explores the social, cultural and economic impacts of changes in work over the last 150 years.

Dr. H. prepared a delicious dinner for us, and we rounded out the evening playing cards, drinking wine and doting on Lola. Soon enough it was time for bed to ensure we would have the energy for the next day's plans.

In my experience, cities are always undergoing transformations. Some neighborhoods decline; others become trendy. On our third day in Hamburg, we ambled through Sternschanze. From the 1930s to the 1970s, the quarter was home for a large number of working-class people.

Currywurst is a fast food dish that can be found on many street corners throughout Hamburg. Hubby and I shared

one from a shop front near Sternschanze. Each vendor has its own spin on the dish. Some blend the curry flavor into

the sauce (as shown above) and others sprinkle curry powder on top. Push the boat out and get it with French fries!!!

In the 1980s, families and students started to move into the area. Since the beginning of the new millennium, Sternschanze is in vogue and runs the risk of pushing out lower-income residents as more affluent people drive up prices. Nevertheless, political demonstrations, mostly by leftist groups, take place here and sometimes lead to clashes with police.

The center of this activity is often the building Rote Flora (shown below) which was squatted by leftist groups in 1989.

As you can see above, graffiti is common in this quarter to the point of being one of its hallmarks. What are your thoughts on graffiti? For some people, the very word evokes a negative reaction. Generally, I don't like the look of graffiti on buildings, but in Sternschanze, it goes beyond "normal" graffiti to works of art and murals four stories tall. I admire the talent and creativity (and the willingness to work at great heights).

From a distance, this mural gives you the impression of a leafy jungle with bright flowers. A closer look

reveals faces within the mural, and bottles/drinks in place of the flower stamens. Clever!

Restaurants and cafes abound in this quarter, and as a light rain began to fall, we opted for coffee and cake at one of Dr. H's favorites. Our table was tucked under the awning on the front sidewalk, and I was pleasantly surprised to find blankets on each of the chairs. Dr. H. pointed out that Hamburg residents love to be outside in all manner of weather, and restaurants have adapted by making blankets and warmers standard equipment. Right up my alley!

As I relished the total civility of coffee and cake while snuggling under a warm blanket, I reflected on the contrast between the emigration museum and this avant garde section of the city. Some people emigrate to find a better life, and others work to make a better life from the inside. We may struggle with their methods, or how they choose to express their opinions, but it is clear that the intention springs from the same hopes and dreams.

Morning Glory in a Sternschanze garden

Mosaic Monday

MM #52: A Few of My Favorite Things

2019-11-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

(to be sung to the tune of My Favorite Things, made famous by Julie Andrews)

Sheep on the hillside and grouse on the moor
Pretty carved pumpkins light up the front door
Time with the family, it's always a fling
These are a few of my favorite things

Ponies at the seashore, ice cream to boot
Hiking the footpaths, do we know the route?
Parsnips and leeks, the garden it brings
These are a few of my favorite things

Mushrooms are popping all over the place
Old country barns that fall down with grace
Wine at the pub, a drink fit for kings
These are a few of my favorite things

Yes, we have been in the UK for nearly two weeks, and most of the activities I hoped for have come to pass. Spousal Unit and I walked the footpaths near Reeth, and although we technically lost our way, it did not diminish our enjoyment one iota. The River Swale punctuated our walk, as we followed a loop that began and ended near the river.

The Reeth Swing Bridge. The original bridge, which stood for 80 years,

was destroyed in a flood in September 2000. The current bridge was

completed in 2002 and perfectly replicated the original.

As we climbed higher on the moor, the classic view of farm fields in a patchwork formed by dry stone walls lay before us.

Red grouse rose regularly from the heather, winging away with their characteristic call.

Look closely - a grouse is standing in the water

I will never tire of these moments; I stand above the valley, attempting to soak the vista into my very bones.

Top: a grouse butt is typically a stone structure used to conceal hunters

Time with family has included days out and relaxation at home. Our customary trip to the seaside town of Whitby offered an extra bonus since it was also Goth Weekend, which drew scads of visitors in costumes ranging from Steampunk to Victorian. The town was heaving (read: crammed with people), and it was almost impossible to take quality pictures, but perhaps you get the idea with the mosaics below. We were fortunate to find a restaurant without a long queue; you can't leave Whitby without sampling the fresh fish and chips!

Upper right: Pony rides Lower right: A section of ruined Whitby Abbey

Lower left: How I feel some days - just kidding! People used parts

of the ruined Abbey for other structures

Upper left: Jewelry I purchased at the craft fair

Upper right: More Abbey ruins

Lower left: Never too cold for someone in England to be in the sea

At home, it's been running, playing Mexican Train, afternoon walks, a bit of stitching and my mother-in-law's tasty home cooking (hence the running and afternoon walks).

Upper left: English bacon, fried egg and mushrooms. English bacon is akin to eating thin slices of ham!

Middle left: A leek and carrots from my father-in-law's garden

Bottom left: Pan Haggerty made with the leek and carrots from the garden, plus potatoes and corned beef

Center top: Parsnip still in the garden Center bottom: Spotted Dick with custard

Far right: Shepherd's Pie with Carrots, Leeks, Green Beans and Corn

A feeling of deep contentment comes over me when I sit in the front room, working the felt applique on my ornaments, and chatting with my mother-in-law.

To celebrate Halloween, we carved pumpkins using patterns that you can buy in many shops. The weather was brisk but sunny, so we worked outside. An ideal autumn day in my sentimental world of traditions.

I will tell you more about our stay in the UK in future posts - you can expect more countryside, and historic buildings. But as the metaphorical sun begins to set on our getaway, I have saved the best for last to close this entry. If you read my October 13 post, you'll know that I was hoping to see a hedgehog (as I always do). Can you believe it? While we were in Hamburg, my in-laws found two (two!) hedgehogs in their garden, the first time in 40 years! Check out the videos below. It may not have been the in-person encounter I wanted, but it was good enough for me.

Due to our return travel, I may be delayed in commenting. See you then!

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #51: Hamburg, Part I

2019-10-27T02:21:00.000-07:00

Water is everywhere. The canals. The Elbe. The lakes. And so you must have bridges. Did you know Hamburg has more bridges than London, Amsterdam and Venice put together? Indeed, it's true. Perhaps, then, it's no surprise that one can easily fall into a romance with Hamburg. I couldn't possibly cover our six days in one post, so you can expect several chapters as I share the many sights, sounds and tastes of the second largest city in Germany.

Upon our arrival at the airport, we were greeted by a former au pair, Dr. H., and whisked off to her comfortable, homey third-floor apartment overlooking a canal and conveniently located two blocks from the railway station. Our welcome was complete with an introduction to Lola the dog, who quickly adopted us as family members.

We began to catch up on the six years since we last saw each other, but it was so easy and relaxed to hang with Dr. H. that you would think we might have had morning coffee just yesterday. After a home-made snack of apple crumble and applesauce (with ice cream), Lola took us on a walk to the canal.

The apples come from orchards outside the city

Yours truly, Dr. H. and Lola

The next morning, our cultural education about Hamburg began. In this metropolis of almost 2 million people, public transportation is the name of the game, and Lola thought nothing of waiting 4 minutes* for our train to downtown. Destination? Breakfast. Restaurants and small cafes abound, and it is a blessing to have a friend who can guide you to "where the locals go".

*Locals will grumble about waiting for a train, and it became a joke among us over the next few days - 4 minutes? 3 minutes? 2 minutes? I don't think we ever stood on the platform for more than 10 minutes.

Our next stop, St. Michael's, is referred to as "the Michel" by residents. It is dedicated to the Archangel Michael, and a large bronze statue, standing above the portal of the church, shows the archangel conquering the devil. During our visit, we were charmed by the organist preparing for the mid-day service, and climbed the tower for a 360-degree-view of the city.

Given its height, the tower of the Michel becomes a landmark that is easily seen from throughout the city. It is said that ship captains would use it to navigate into the harbor. Later in the day, we would take a photo of the three of us with the Michel in the distant background.

Upper right: the mechanism that runs the clock on the tower

Lower left: Love locks appear many places in the city, and the tower was no exception

From left: Archangel Michael; Dancing Towers; Harbor with container ships; Elbe Philharmonic Hall in the distance

We re-joined Dr. H. and Lola, waiting patiently in the park below, and soon crossed this "Oriental Carpet of Stone", which paves the way to the warehouse district of the city and serves as a symbol of Europe's biggest commercial shipment point for oriental carpets.

The "carpet" has been in this location for quite some time, but was completely re-done earlier this year with granulated marble, jasper, synthetic resin and threads from mop heads. From a short distance, it appears to be a real carpet!

As we strolled the Speicherstadt (literally "City of Warehouses"), we caught glimpses of many oriental carpets through open warehouse doors. If we had a slightly bigger carry-on bag, we might have been going home with one of these stunning pieces of art!

Hamburg is Europe's third largest port, which belies its heritage in the shipping industry. The warehouse district is the largest in the world where the buildings stand on timber-pile foundations, oak logs in this particular case. Built from 1883 to 1927, the district was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.

(Internet)

The Elbe Philharmonic Hall, opened in January 2017, houses concerts in a wave-shaped building perched on top of an old warehouse. Anchoring one end of the warehouse district, the Hall was criticized during its construction, mainly for its cost. Now, it is a favorite landmark for tourists and locals alike, and is lovingly referred to as the "Elphi".

By now you have surmised that the city features innumerable architectural gems, and we passed many of them on our first full day. The Chilehaus, a brick expressionist office building built in 1922, is shaped like an ocean liner. St. Jacobi Church is located directly in the city center, has a 410-foot tall tower and showcases a famous organ from 1693. The Rathaus (town hall) is a richly decorated Neo-Renaissance building completed in 1897.

Top three photos - interior of St. Jacobi Church; Bottom: 1932 aerial shot of Chilehaus

The Rathaus. Top Center: the Fountain contains the goddess Hygieia, who stands for preventive

health care. This is a remembrance of the victims of cholera in 1892.

In most cases, Lola was welcome in these buildings. If not, we would take turns keeping her company. But when we visited St. Jacobi Church, I was simply amazed. It had a vestibule occupied by a watchman, and he requested that Lola remain there while we toured the interior. Do you know? She never moved from the spot once Dr. H. told her to stay!

Many of the historical displays we saw included pictures of destruction during the Second World War, a somber reminder of that era and its impact on the city and the world. Even more striking, for me, were the "Stolpersteine", or "stumbling stones", which commemorate victims of Nazi extermination or persecution and are placed outside their last-known freely chosen residence. The inscription on each stone begins "Here lived", followed by the victim's name, date of birth, and fate: internment, suicide, exile or, in the vast majority of cases, deportation and murder. Since our visit to Hamburg, I read more about this form of remembrance, and it has affected me deeply. I highly recommend a visit to this link, especially the section called "Origin of the Name". Pictures of bombed-out buildings are graphic, but the simple Stolpersteine bring to life thousands of tragedies at a very individual level.

Left stone reads: Julia Schwarzwald. Born 1872. Humiliated/Disenfranchised. Escaped into Death. 22/2/1942

Right stone reads: Eugen Gowa. Born 1904. Deported 1943. Murdered in Auschwitz.

We ended our day as it began - near the water. The Inner Alster Lake is one of two artificial lakes within the city limits that are formed by the River Alster. Bordered by the city on three sides, and the historic Lombard Bridge on the fourth, the Lake virtually guarantees gorgeous pictures from any angle.

A perfect place for a romance, whether you're an "old" married couple like us, or Dr. H. and her trusty dog Lola.

Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #50: A Whirlwind

2019-10-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

Fluffy rabbits at Amsterdam

airport

Dateline: October 16. Durham Tees Valley Airport. Waiting for our flight to Hamburg*.

A little dizzy. That's the best description of my feeling at the moment. Maybe it's the strong coffee I'm imbibing, but I think it has more to do with four countries and four airports in as many days. I haven't completely adjusted to the time zone and the new rhythm of the days. Trust me, I am not complaining - we've had a smooth journey so far.

On October 13, the full moon cast the only light at the early hour of 6 a.m., as we navigated the silver thread of road in our neighborhood. The Toyota GPS predicted a travel time to Calgary of 6 hours and 37 minutes. Well, that was a concerning moment - we had planned on five and a half hours.

I will cut to the chase and tell you that we made good time, even with two comfort stops. At that hour, we were the only car crossing into Canada, and we passed through quickly despite a slightly grumpy Canadian border agent (I suppose I would also be annoyed to get out of my chair at 7 a.m.)

The drive from the border to Calgary traverses the Rocky Mountain range, and with the early snowfall in British Columbia and Alberta, the scenery was stunning. Every few miles, we would say "We need to come back here."

Near Fernie, we saw 60 elk in a field along the Elk River. Amazing. A bit further on, Crowsnest Pass wowed us with alpine lakes lapping closely on either side of the highway.

As we descended toward Calgary, the scenery transformed to prairie and soon enough we had parked the car at the Hilton Garden Inn. (Through friends, we learned of way.com, which offers discount parking at hotels - what a novel idea. We will be staying at the Hilton upon our return to Calgary. And in case you're wondering why we would fly from Calgary, it's simple - tickets were half what we would have paid flying from Montana!)

In no time we had checked in with KLM and were enjoying a late lunch at Vin Restaurant. (We also watched the Cleveland Browns play the Seattle Seahawks - not so enjoyable with a loss, 32 to 28.) So glad the Coconut Curry Soup was outstanding!

Our flight to Amsterdam was slightly over 8 hours, which "flew" by quickly, courtesy of a couple of movies (I watched "Rocketman" and "The Mule"), a meal and some napping.

We occupied the four-hour layover with walking (who wants to sit after 8 hours in a narrow airplane seat?) and window shopping. This was not our first time to Schiphol Airport; despite its size, I love it. You can stroll for miles, it offers a plethora of unique shops, and you can still locate a corner or two with peaceful serenity.

Cheese, anyone?

Left: Tulips, Middle: Robot welcomes you to the store

Upper right: HUGE amaryllis bulb; Lower right: Dutch blue pottery

I slept through much of the hour-long flight to Newcastle, but awoke in time to see the green patchwork of fields rising to meet us. Was it tears suddenly blurring the view? No, I'm sure it was just some wispy clouds!

*We were with my in-laws for a day and a half and now we are in Hamburg. More to come from the UK and Germany!

Mosaic Monday